Oil well sucker rod

Abstract

Disclosed is an oil well sucker rod having a fiberglass rod with steel connectors on each end. Each connector has a rod-receiving receptacle having an open end, a closed end, and a plurality of axially spaced annular, tapered surfaces. The taper angles of the tapered surfaces are progresssively less toward the open end of the receptacle. An annular centering surface within the receptacle engages the end of the rod to the center the rod within the connector. A plurality of evenly spaced dimples on the connector extend into the receptacle to the center the rod within the connector at a point spaced from the centering surface.

We claim: 
     
       1. An oil well sucker rod, comprising: an elongated, cylindrical rod;   a connector attached to one end of the rod for connecting the rod to another rod and having a rod-receiving receptacle, the receptacle having an open end, a closed end, and a plurality of axially spaced, annular, tapered surfaces;   an annular, tapered centering surface within the receptacle in engagement with the end of the rod for centering the rod axially within the connector;   a plurality of dimples on the connector extending into the receptacle to contact the rod for centering the rod within the connector at a point spaced from the centering surface; and   an adhesive bonding material within the receptacle for securing the connector to the rod.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each tapered surface has a different taper angle. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the taper angles of the tapered surfaces are progressively smaller toward the open end of the receptacle. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the taper angles of the tapered surfaces decrease by one-half degree from one tapered surface to the next progressively toward the open end of the receptacle. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the taper angles of the tapered surfaces are five and one-half degrees, five degrees, and four and one-half degrees progressively toward the open end of the receptacle. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the centering surface has a taper angle of nine degrees. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the centering surface of the receptacle engages the circumference of the end of the rod. 
     
     
       8. An oil well sucker rod, comprising: an elongated, cylindrical rod;   a connector attached to one end of the rod for connecting the rod to another rod, the connector having an outer surface which has a generally cylindrical section and a frusto-conical section and the connector having a rod-receiving receptacle, the receptacle having an open end, a closed end, and at least three axially spaced, annular, tapered surfaces, including first and second tapered surfaces nearest to the open end of the receptacle, the first and second tapered surfaces being adjacent to the frusto-conical section of the outer surface of the connector and the other tapered surfaces being adjacent to the generally cylindrical section of the outer surface of the connector;   an annular, tapered centering surface within the receptacle in engagement with the end of the rod for centering the rod axially within the connector;   a plurality of dimples on the connector extending into the receptacle to contact the rod for centering the rod within the connector at a point spaced from the centering surface; and   an adhesive bonding material within the receptacle for securing the connector to the rod.   
     
     
       9. An oil well sucker rod, comprising: an elongated, cylindrical rod;   a connector attached to one end of the rod for connecting the rod to another rod, the connector having an outer surface which as a generally cylindrical section, a frusto-conical section, and a junction between the generally cylindrical section and the frusto-conical section, and the connector having a rod-receiving receptacle, the receptacle having an open end, a closed end, and at least three axially spaced, annular, tapered surfaces, including first and second tapered surfaces nearest to the open end of the receptacle, the junction between the generally cylindrical section and the frusto-conical section being located radially outwards from the second tapered surface;   an annular, tapered centering surface within the receptacle in engagement with the end of the rod for centering the rod axially within the connector;   a plurality of dimples on the connector extending into the receptacle to contact the rod for centering the rod within the connector at a point spaced from the centering surface; and   an adhesive bonding material within the receptacle for securing the connector to the rod.